5/12/2015

Nauru says Facebook block a 'temporary restriction' to keep public safe from 'sexual perverts' | Weather | The Guardian

Nauru says Facebook block a 'temporary

restriction' to keep public safe from 'sexual
perverts'
Brieng paper says Facebook abused by malicious users and will stay banned until Nauruans can
be safe from criminals, sexual perverts and cyber bullies
Paul Farrell
Sunday 10 May 2015 23.41 EDT

The Nauruan governments censorship of Facebook will be temporary and only until
necessary protection mechanisms are put in place to stop criminals and sexual
perverts.
A brieng paper from the Nauruan government obtained by Guardian Australia is the
rst ocial acknowledgment that Facebook has been restricted on the island.
It said an internet ban on some sites was permanent and had been months in the making
after concerns about images of child sexual abuse being distributed.
But opposition members of the Nauruan parliament have raised concerns about the
restrictions, which they said were designed to prevent the ow of information to
Nauruans and from asylum seekers held in Australias immigration detention centre.
The brieng paper said: As you are aware certain internet sites have been heavily
restricted. These are sites that contain or have been maliciously used to publish and
broadcast explicit, obscene or pornographic material. This decision has been made by
government in its eorts to protect its people from the abuse of the internet which has
seen vulnerable individuals, especially young Nauruan girls, being maliciously targeted,
harassed and even bullied.
The decision was not made overnight but over a period of several months of
investigation, consultation and outreach to sites to rectify what is on their part neglect of
protection aorded to the Nauruan people, particularly our women and children.
It said the block on Facebook which was widely used by Nauruans to nd news about
the country in the absence of local press reports, and by asylum seekers was only
temporary.
Other sites such as Facebook that have been abused by malicious users are under
temporary restriction until the necessary protection mechanisms are in place to ensure
that Nauruans and members of our community are not left exposed and vulnerable to
the actions of criminals, sexual perverts and cyber bullies, it said.
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5/12/2015

Nauru says Facebook block a 'temporary restriction' to keep public safe from 'sexual perverts' | Weather | The Guardian

It is not clear how blocking Facebook would prevent the distribution of oensive
material, how long the site would continue to be blocked, or what additional protection
measures would be put in place. Facebook has policies surrounding the sharing and
distribution of inappropriate material that it applies to suspend users who are found to
be in breach.
The Nauruan government has not responded to requests for comment on blocking the
site.
A spokeswoman for Facebook said: We believe that restricting access to a free and open
internet deprives people of important economic and social opportunities and choices,
and hope that access will be restored soon.
The Facebook ban was directed by the Nauruan government, but was imposed by the
nations internet provider, Digicel. It came shortly after the general managers visa was
cancelled and she was replaced by another Digicel sta member.
Opposition members of the Nauruan parliament have expressed concern about the
censorship in Nauru. The former president, Sprent Dabwido, said the block was imposed
due to paranoia about independent media scrutiny on the island nation.
More news

Topics
Nauru
Facebook
Social networking
Australian immigration and asylum
Asia Pacic
Refugees

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